Kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor and related method of maintaining same

ABSTRACT

A kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade includes a housing having at least one compartment for holding the disposable razor and a strop. The strop includes a length of woven textile attached around at least a portion of a periphery thereof to a backing, and an intermediate layer attached to the backing. The housing includes upper and lower surfaces. At least a portion of the upper surface defines a first plane and the lower surface defines a second plane such that the first plane is angled relative the second plane. The woven textile may be a woven cotton textile such as a denim material. A related method includes the steps of cleaning the at least one blade, sharpening the at least one blade utilizing a length of woven textile attached around a periphery thereof to a backing, and an intermediate layer attached to the backing, coating the at least one blade, and storing the disposable razor in the housing.

This is a continuation in part application of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 16/125,192, filed Sep. 7, 2018, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. Ser. No. 62/555,901, filed on Sep. 8, 2017, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This document relates generally to disposable razors, and more specifically to a kit for storing and related methods of maintaining same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the course of shaving, disposable razor blades are known to dull quickly. This results in replacement of the dulled blades and/or disposable razor altogether. While replacement itself is not overly burdensome, the replacement comes at a cost both monetarily and to the environment through the filling of landfills.

Accordingly, a need is identified for a simple means of sharpening a disposable razor blade in order to extend its useful life. The means should enable the user to quickly sharpen the blade with little, if any, associated mess. Even more, the means should be able to be located in the user's sink area providing proper access to the razor, strop, brush(es), and spray container in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, a kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor is provided. The kit may be broadly described as including a housing having at least one compartment for holding the disposable razor, and a strop. The strop includes a length of woven textile attached around at least a portion of a periphery thereof to a backing.

In another possible embodiment, the housing includes upper and lower surfaces, and the upper surface defines a first plane and the lower surface defines a second plane such that the first plane is at a substantially 25-35 degree angle relative the second plane.

In yet another possible embodiment, the first plane is at a substantially 30 degree angle relative the second plane.

In still another possible embodiment, the strop further includes an intermediate layer attached to the backing.

In one additional possible embodiment, the at least one compartment includes an upper surface defining a third plane such that the third plane is at a substantially 25-35 degree angle relative the second plane.

In another possible embodiment, the kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade further includes a spray bottle containing a liquid for spraying onto the at least one blade of the disposable razor to coat and preserve the at least one blade.

In still another possible embodiment, the woven textile is a denim.

In accordance with one other possible embodiment, a kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor is provided. The kit may be broadly described as including a housing having at least one compartment for holding the disposable razor, and a strop. The strop includes a length of woven textile attached around at least a portion of a periphery thereof to a backing, and an intermediate layer attached to the backing.

In another possible embodiment, the housing includes upper and lower surfaces, and at least a portion of the upper surface defines a first plane and the lower surface defines a second plane such that the first plane is angled relative the second plane.

In yet another possible embodiment, the first plane is angled at a substantially 25-35 degree angle relative the second plane.

In still another possible embodiment, the length of woven textile is attached around the entire periphery thereof to the backing.

In one other possible embodiment, the at least one compartment includes an upper surface defining a third plane such that the third plane is angled relative the second plane.

In yet one other possible embodiment, the kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade further includes a container of liquid for spraying onto the at least one blade of the disposable razor to coat and preserve the at least one blade.

In another possible embodiment, the kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade further includes a brush for cleaning debris from the disposable razor.

In one additional possible embodiment, a method is provided of maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade. The method may be broadly described as comprising the steps of: cleaning the at least one blade; sharpening the at least one blade utilizing a strop, the strop including a length of woven textile attached around a periphery thereof to a backing, and an intermediate layer attached to the backing; coating the at least one blade; and storing the disposable razor in a housing.

In another possible embodiment, the cleaning step includes at least one of rinsing the at least one blade and brushing the at least one blade.

In still another possible embodiment, the sharpening step includes moving the at least one blade in a non-shaving direction along the length of woven textile.

In yet another possible embodiment, the moving step is repeated.

In still another possible embodiment, the woven textile is a denim.

In one other possible embodiment, the coating step includes spraying a solution comprising water, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, soap, and an essential oil onto the at least one blade prior to storing the disposable razor in the housing.

In the following description, there are shown and described several preferred embodiments of a kit for storing a disposable razor and related methods of maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade. As it should be realized, the kit is capable of other, different embodiments and their several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the kit and related methods as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the invention and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a strop of the kit;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the at least one blade being sharpened utilizing the strop; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a brush used for cleaning the disposable razor having opposing soft bristle and microfiber brushes.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present described embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures, wherein like numerals are used to represent like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which illustrates a kit 10 for storing and maintaining a disposable razor 12 having at least one blade 14. The kit 10 includes a housing 16 having at least one compartment for holding the disposable razor 12. In the described embodiment, the housing 16 includes upper and lower surfaces 18 and 20. As shown, the upper surface 18 defines a first plane 22 and the lower surface defines a second plane 24. The upper surface 18 is angled to provide convenient access to the disposable razor 12 and other items stored within the housing 16. In the described embodiment, the angle is substantially between 25 and 35 degrees to provide the desired convenient access.

As shown, a first compartment 26 may be utilized to hold the disposable razor 12. A second compartment 28 extends along a front, central area of the container 16 and may be utilized for holding a brush 30 for cleaning the disposable razor before sharpening. A third compartment may further be utilized to hold a container or spray bottle 32. In the described embodiment, the spray bottle 32 is positioned within the container 16 and there is no third compartment. Three or more, or fewer, compartments may be utilized in accordance with the invention. Even more, additional items may be stored in the compartment(s) including, for example, at least one additional blade cartridge for the disposable razor and/or a desiccant to ensure the blade is kept as dry as possible.

As further shown in FIG. 1, an upper surface 34 of the second compartment 28 may be angled similar to the angle of the upper surface 18 relative the lower surface 20. In other words, the upper surface 34 of the second compartment may define a third plane substantially parallel to the first plane 22, i.e., angled substantially between 25 and 35 degrees to provide convenient access to the disposable razor 12, and an overall aesthetically pleasing look which matches the upper surface 18.

In an alternate embodiment, the upper surface 18 may define both the first plane 22 at an angle relative the second plane 24 and a fourth plane 40 that is parallel to the second plane 24. In other words, a portion of the upper surface 18 of the container 16 may define a fourth plane 40 that is substantially flat or parallel to the second plane 24 defined by a bottom surface of the container while another portion of the upper surface 18 may define the first plane 22 that is angled relative the second plane. The differences between the embodiments is aesthetic and other variations or angles may be utilized.

In the described embodiment, the spray bottle 32 includes a liquid for spraying onto the at least one blade 14 of the disposable razor 12 to coat and preserve the at least one blade. More specifically, the liquid includes an environmentally friendly solution including a mixture of water, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, soap, and an optional essential oil for scent.

Referring to FIG. 1, a strop 42 for sharpening the at least one blade 14 of the disposable razor 12 is shown positioned rearward of the first compartment 26 of the container 16. The strop 42, as best shown in FIG. 2, includes a length of woven textile 44 attached to a backing 46 around at least a portion of a periphery thereof. In the described embodiment, the woven textile 44 is a woven cotton textile (e.g., denim) and the backing 46 is an artificial leather although real leather or other commonly known backing materials may be utilized. An adhesive 50 may be utilized to attach the woven textile 44 to the backing 46. The adhesive 50 may form a continuous line around the periphery, as shown in dashed line in FIG. 2, or only a portion or portions thereof. In addition, a liquid seam sealant (e.g., sold under the registered trademark FRABRIC FUSION) or fabric adhesive (e.g., sold under the registered trademark FRAY TECH) may be utilized to limit, if not prevent, fraying of one or more of the edges of the length of woven textile 44.

In the described embodiment, an intermediate layer 48 is also attached to the backing 46. As shown, an adhesive 52 may be utilized to attach the intermediate layer 48 to the backing 46. The intermediate layer 48 is a rubber material in the described embodiment but any other known backing material may be utilized.

In accordance with the method of maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade, the user first cleans the at least one blade 14. The cleaning step may include rinsing the disposable razor and/or using the brush 30 to brush any loose hair or other debris from the at least one blade. Thereafter, the at least one blade may be sharpened utilizing the strop 42 or, more specifically, the woven textile 44 as shown in FIG. 3. As shown, a user may push the disposable razor 12 along the woven textile 44 one or more times in a direction opposite a shaving direction (shown by action arrow A). In other words, the disposable razor 12 is pulled along a direction when shaving and pushed along an opposite direction when sharpening. Preferably, the user would push the disposable razor 12 along the woven textile 44 at least four times making sure an edge of the at least one blade 14 is in contact with the woven textile.

Once the at least one blade 14 is sharpened, the user may coat the at least one blade. The described coating step includes spraying a solution from the spray bottle 32 onto the at least one blade 14 to preserve the blade and prevent rusting. As described above, the solution is a mixture of well-known, environmentally friendly components. In addition, the disposable razor 12 may be stored in the housing 16 in an upright position allowing the at least one blade 14 to promptly dry. Alternatively, the disposable razor 12 may be stored with the at least one blade facing downward in a compartment of the housing 16. As described above, the compartment 34 used for storage of the disposable razor 12 may include a desiccant (not shown), in packet form or otherwise, positioned within the compartment to keep the at least one blade 14 moisture-free and rust-free until the next use.

The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, the brush 30 may include a soft bristle brush for cleaning debris from the disposable razor 12 and a microfiber brush for drying. As shown in FIG. 4, the brush 30 may include a soft bristle brush 60 extending in a first direction from a head 62 of the brush and a microfiber brush 64 extends in a substantially opposite direction. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled. 

What is claimed:
 1. A kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade, comprising: a housing having at least one compartment for holding the disposable razor; and a strop, the strop including a length of woven textile attached around at least a portion of a periphery thereof to a backing.
 2. The kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade of claim 1, wherein the housing includes upper and lower surfaces, and the upper surface defines a first plane and the lower surface defines a second plane such that the first plane is at a substantially 25-35 degree angle relative the second plane.
 3. The kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade of claim 2, wherein the first plane is at a substantially 30 degree angle relative the second plane.
 4. The kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade of claim 1, wherein the strop further includes an intermediate layer attached to the backing.
 5. The kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade of claim 4, wherein the housing includes upper and lower surfaces, and the upper surface defines a first plane and the lower surface defines a second plane such that the first plane is at a substantially 25-35 degree angle relative the second plane.
 6. The kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade of claim 2, wherein the at least one compartment includes an upper surface defining a third plane such that the third plane is at a substantially 25-35 degree angle relative the second plane.
 7. The kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade of claim 1, further comprising a spray bottle containing a liquid for spraying onto the at least one blade of the disposable razor to coat and preserve the at least one blade.
 8. A kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade, comprising: a housing having at least one compartment for holding the disposable razor; and a strop, the strop including a length of woven textile attached around at least a portion of a periphery thereof to a backing, and an intermediate layer attached to the backing, wherein the housing includes upper and lower surfaces, and at least a portion of the upper surface defines a first plane and the lower surface defines a second plane such that the first plane is angled relative the second plane.
 9. The kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade of claim 8, wherein the first plane is angled at a substantially 25-35 degree angle relative the second plane.
 10. The kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade of claim 8, wherein the strop further includes an intermediate layer attached to the backing, and the length of woven textile is attached around the entire periphery thereof to the backing.
 11. The kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade of claim 10, wherein the first plane is angled at a substantially 25-35 degree angle relative the second plane.
 12. The kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade of claim 8, wherein the at least one compartment includes an upper surface defining a third plane such that the third plane is angled relative the second plane.
 13. The kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade of claim 8, further comprising a container of liquid for spraying onto the at least one blade of the disposable razor to coat and preserve the at least one blade.
 14. The kit for storing and maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade of claim 8, further comprising a brush for cleaning debris from the disposable razor.
 15. A method of maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade comprising the steps of: cleaning the at least one blade; sharpening the at least one blade utilizing a strop, the strop including a length of woven textile attached around a periphery thereof to a backing, and an intermediate layer attached to the backing; coating the at least one blade; and storing the disposable razor in a housing.
 16. The method of maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade of claim 15, wherein the cleaning step includes at least one of rinsing the at least one blade and brushing the at least one blade.
 17. The method of maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade of claim 15, wherein the sharpening step includes moving the at least one blade in a non-shaving direction along the length of woven textile.
 18. The method of maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade of claim 17, wherein the moving step is repeated.
 19. The method of maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade of claim 15, wherein the woven textile is a denim.
 20. The method of maintaining a disposable razor having at least one blade of claim 15, wherein the coating step includes spraying a solution comprising water, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, soap, and an essential oil onto the at least one blade prior to storing the disposable razor in the housing. 